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Jonathan Brooker (1849–1906)

Profound sorrow was expressed on all sides when it became known that Mr. Jonathan Brooker, an old and much esteemed resident of Box Vale, who had been an inmate of the Berrima District Hospital for about three weeks, suffering from an affection of the throat, had passed away on Sunday afternoon. The deceased had been a remarkably healthy man up to the time of his last illness, which first manifested itself about the 22nd May with a sore throat. The first day this was not regarded as anything serious, and practically no notice was taken of it; the following morning, however as the throat was much swollen, Dr. Vallack was summoned from Bowral, and treated the patient. A couple of days later, as there appeared to be no improvement in his condition, Dr Vallack was again sent for, and ordered the immediate removal of the patient to the hospital. After admission to that institution Mr. Brooker's condition continued to be very serious, and it was for a time thought that a tube would have to be inserted in his throat to prevent suffocation. This, however, was averted by the swelling going down somewhat, and although the case had never ceased to be serious, the patient seemed to be making satisfactory progress until Saturday night, when complications set in, and terminated fatally between 4 and 5 o'clock on Sunday afternoon.

The cause of death was a form of blood poisoning in the tongue and throat, which it is thought was first caused either by poison from a decayed tooth or by nicotine from a pipe. Mrs. Brooker and family express their sincere appreciation of the unremitting attention devoted to the deceased by the medical and nursing staff of the hospital.

The late Mr. Brooker, who was 56 years of age, was a native of Wollongong, and came to this district with his father over 40 years ago. His father was one of the first to take up land in Kangaloon under the Free Selection Act of the early sixties, and after working for his father for some time the deceased eventually launched out on his own behalf. He had been associated with farming pursuits all his life, and had succeeded in getting together one of the finest dairy herds of the district. An exceptionally good judge of cattle, he had spared no expense in introducing the very best strains into his yard, and by continual culling had weeded out anything which was not first class. Of late years he had paid particular attention to the Ayrshire class, for which he had a great fancy, and quite recently he purchased some fine animals of this breed at Mr. Antill's sale in Picton. He had for some time figured prominently as a prize-winner for Ayrshires at our local shows, while it was always a great recommendation for cattle of this or any other class to say that they were bred by Mr. J. Brooker.

About 25 years ago the deceased was married to Miss Henrietta Brenning, of Kangaloon, who, together with a family of 13 – six boys and seven girls – the youngest of whom is six years of age, are left to mourn their great loss. One of the daughters is Mrs. Lindsay, of Mullumbimby, Brunswick River, who is the only one of the children married. He also leaves two brothers and a sister, Messrs. M. and W. Brooker and Miss Brooker, all of Kangaloon, and a number of other relatives. Sincere sympathy is extended to all in their bereavement.

His father died about 19 years ago and his mother about 5 years ago, both having lived to a ripe old age.

The funeral will move from the hospital, Bowral, at 10 o'clock this (Tuesday) morning, and the interment will take place in the East Kangaloon cemetery, where deceased's father, mother, and eldest son are also buried. The Rev. J. H. Craig will conduct the service, and Mr. J. Beavan has charge of the funeral arrangements.

Original publication

Additional Resources

  • funeral, Robertson Advocate (NSW), 22 June 1906, p 2

Citation details

'Brooker, Jonathan (1849–1906)', Obituaries Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/brooker-jonathan-26081/text34102, accessed 19 March 2024.

© Copyright Obituaries Australia, 2010-2024

Life Summary [details]

Birth

24 June, 1849
Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia

Death

17 June, 1906 (aged 56)
Bowral, New South Wales, Australia

Cause of Death

blood poisoning

Cultural Heritage

Includes subject's nationality; their parents' nationality; the countries in which they spent a significant part of their childhood, and their self-identity.

Religious Influence

Includes the religion in which subjects were raised, have chosen themselves, attendance at religious schools and/or religious funeral rites; Atheism and Agnosticism have been included.

Occupation